Tissue thickness compensator comprising a plurality of medicaments

Abstract

In various embodiments, a compensator can comprise a compensator body comprising a plurality of first packets and a plurality of second packets wherein, in at least one embodiment, each second packet is positioned intermediate two or more first packets. The compensator can further comprise a first medicament positioned within each first packet and a second medicament positioned within each second packet, wherein the first medicament is different than the second medicament.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A compensator attachable to an anvil of a fastening instrument, wherein the anvil includes a forming surface, and wherein said compensator comprises:
 a compressible compensator body, comprising:
 a plurality of first packets; 
 a plurality of second packets, wherein each said second packet is positioned intermediate two or more said first packets; 
 a first medicament enclosed within each said first packet until each said first packet is opened; 
 a second medicament enclosed within each said second packet until each said second packet is opened, wherein said first medicament is different than said second medicament; and 
 an attachment portion configured to be attached to the anvil. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The compensator of  claim 1 , wherein said first medicament comprises a first powder and said second medicament comprises a second powder. 
     
     
       3. The compensator of  claim 1 , wherein said first medicament comprises alginate and said second medicament comprises calcium. 
     
     
       4. The compensator of  claim 1 , wherein said compensator body comprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein said first packets and said second packets are arranged in an alternating arrangement along said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       5. The compensator of  claim 1 , wherein said first packets and said second packets are arranged in an alternating arrangement. 
     
     
       6. The compensator of  claim 1 , wherein said first medicament can comprise non-woven oxidized regenerated cellulose. 
     
     
       7. A stapling assembly for use with a stapler, said stapling assembly comprising:
 an anvil, comprising:
 a plurality of forming surfaces; and 
 a slot configured to receive a cutting member therein; 
 
 a compensator attached to said anvil, wherein said compensator comprises a plurality of first packets aligned with said slot and a plurality of second packets aligned with said slot, and wherein said first packets and said second packets are configured to be incised by the cutting member; 
 a first medicament enclosed within each said first packet until each said first packet is incised by the cutting member; and 
 a second medicament enclosed within each said second packet until each said second packet is incised by the cutting member, wherein said first medicament is different than said second medicament. 
 
     
     
       8. The stapling assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said slot defines a path for the cutting member, and wherein said first packets and said second packets extend in a direction which is transverse to said path. 
     
     
       9. The stapling assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said compensator comprises and attachment portion configured to fit within said slot, and wherein said attachment portion is configured to be incised by the cutting member. 
     
     
       10. The stapling assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said first medicament comprises a first powder and said second medicament comprises a second powder. 
     
     
       11. The stapling assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said first medicament comprises alginate and said second medicament comprises calcium. 
     
     
       12. The stapling assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said first packets and said second packets are arranged in an alternating arrangement along said slot. 
     
     
       13. A stapling assembly for use with a stapler, said stapling assembly comprising:
 an anvil, comprising:
 a plurality of forming surfaces; and 
 a longitudinal slot; 
 
 a cutting member configured to be moved within said slot; 
 a compensator attached to said anvil, wherein said compensator comprises a plurality of first lateral cavities extending laterally relative to said slot and a plurality of second lateral cavities extending laterally relative to said slot, and wherein said cutting member is configured to incise said first lateral cavities and said second lateral cavities; 
 a first medicament enclosed within each said first lateral cavity, wherein said first medicament is configured to be released from each said first lateral cavity when said first lateral cavity is incised by said cutting member; and 
 a second medicament enclosed within each said second lateral cavity, wherein said first medicament is different than said second medicament, and wherein said second medicament is configured to be released from each said second lateral cavity when said second lateral cavity is incised by said cutting member. 
 
     
     
       14. The stapling assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said compensator comprises an attachment portion configured to fit within said longitudinal slot, and wherein said cutting member is configured to incise said attachment portion. 
     
     
       15. The stapling assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said first medicament comprises a first powder and said second medicament comprises a second powder. 
     
     
       16. The stapling assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said first medicament comprises alginate and said second medicament comprises calcium. 
     
     
       17. The stapling assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said first lateral cavities and said second lateral cavities are arranged in an alternating arrangement along said longitudinal slot. 
     
     
       18. The stapling assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said longitudinal slot defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein said first lateral cavities and said second lateral cavities each define a lateral axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       19. A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:
 a cartridge body; 
 a plurality of staple cavities; 
 a plurality of staples removably stored within said staple cavities; and 
 a layer, comprising:
 a plurality of first packets; 
 a plurality of second packets, wherein each said second packet is positioned intermediate two or more said first packets; 
 a first medicament enclosed within each said first packet until each said first packet is opened; and 
 a second medicament enclosed within each said second packet until each said second packet is opened, wherein said first medicament is different than said second medicament. 
 
 
     
     
       20. The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising an anvil.